Symptoms of Mesothelioma ?

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are generally non-specific, and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, pleural mesothelioma patients may present with shortness of breath, chest pain and /or persistent cough; some patients show no symptoms at all. A chest x-ray may show a build-up of fluid or pleural effusion (discussed below). The right lung is affected 60% of the time, with involvement of both lungs being seen in approximately 5% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet.

Most common mesothelioma symptoms:

• Recent onset of shortness of breath (31%)
• Recent increase in shortness of breath (30%)
• Chest pain (43%)

Other mesothelioma symptoms:

• Cough (35%)
• Weight loss (23%)
• Weakness (18%)
• Increased sputum production (18%)
• The most common findings on physical examination (79%) are signs of pleural effusion (eg., dullness to percussion or decreased breath sounds).

Patients with peritoneal mesothelioma experience these mesothelioma symptoms:

• Abdominal pain (60%)
• Anorexia (27%)
• Weakness (12%)
• Nausea (11%)

NOTE : PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE SYMPTOMS MAY BE CAUSED BY MESOTHELIOMA OR BY OTHER LESS SERIOUS CONDITIONS. ONLY A DOCTOR CAN MAKE A DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS.